It's one thing to fill the seats of a Western Hockey League (WHL) arena, but it's rare for the home team to help foot the bill. Yet, the Regina Pats and the Saskatoon Blades Western Hockey League Clubs recently did just that - matching every ticket bought by SaskEnergy, in support of the SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan - Western Hockey League Youth Experience Contest.

The Western Hockey League Youth Experience Contest gave the opportunity for minor hockey teams to attend live WHL action. More importantly, this initiative served as both a team-building experience and a way for young teams to realize potential outcomes in hockey when hard work and dedication is devoted.

Teams all across the Province were encouraged to send in a brief description of their team and what it would mean to them to watch a WHL game. In total, 93 applications were sent in from all parts of the Province. The stories ranged from communities struggling to keep hockey alive to teams that have lost many games but work continuously to get better, and even one team that included players with special needs.

In total, ten minor hockey teams from across Saskatchewan were selected to attend a WHL game in Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current or Prince Albert.

SaskEnergy's own Gus the Gas-a-saurus traveled around the Province to be part of the very special ticket presentations.

The SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan - Western Hockey League (WHL) Youth Experience Contest was able to send more than 200 players and coaches to attend live Western Hockey League action this season.

On January 15, 2011, communities all across the Province celebrated SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan. The Town of Waldheim played host to the 4th Annual SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan celebration during the weekend of January 14-16, 2011. SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan strives to promote the game of hockey, highlight the importance of the local community rinks and to celebrate the many volunteers who assist in keeping hockey active in their communities.

The host community of Waldheim welcomes visitors to the 4th SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy, Honourable Dustin Duncan drops the ceremonial face-off at the Novice Outlaws home game.

Waldheim kicked off their activities on Friday, with the initiation and novice Outlaw hockey teams taking to the ice. Following those games, a banquet put on at the Jubilee Centre was next on the schedule. Residents of the community enjoyed a delicious supper, participated in the silent and live auctions, but most importantly took in the wise words from guest speaker, Laurie Boschman, who spent 14 seasons in the NHL. Other speakers for the evening included President of Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) Al Hubbs, Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy, Honourable Dustin Duncan and local MLA Martensville, Nancy Heppner.

Laurie Boschman talking about what it means to take part in SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

The fans then packed the arena to watch their Senior Prairie Outlaws take on the Rosthern Wheatkings in an old Fort Carlton Hockey League rivalry. The game proved to be a great night-cap for the start of a very successful weekend.

There was a lot more hockey action in-store for the weekend, including: a variety of local minor hockey games, a Saskatchewan Midget Female AAA game, a Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League game, with Sunday highlighted by the Junior B Prairie Junior Hockey League All-Star Game. Aside from the hockey games, additional fundraisers such as a pancake breakfast, soup & pie dinner, hospitality room, a $1000 guaranteed 50/50 draw and a prize table were held, to raise funds for the rink's heating and cooling system repairs and improvements.

A collage of the host community's weekend activities during SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

An important part of SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan is the recognition of the many volunteers who have contributed countless hours and heart to the success of their minor hockey associations, as well as their local rink. SaskEnergy has provided an opportunity for local hockey associations to thank their volunteers with the presentation of a SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Award. In total, 17 SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Awards were handed out across the Province.

A few snapshots of SaskEnergy Volunteer Champion Awards being presented through out the province.

In 2011, 113 communities across the Province participated in SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan by hosting activities within their communities before, after or during the weekend of January 14-16, 2011. This is the highest number of participating communities since the initiative started four years ago.

For more information on SaskEnergy Hockey Day in Saskatchewan, please visit http://hockeydayinsask.ca